Last month my editor gently asked me if I wanted to change my byline to something else besides: “Stay at home mum”. I realize that “stay at home mom” is grossly misleading, as I know many moms in this category, like me, spend a good deal of time on the road, in the park and in the waiting rooms of ballet centres and music studios.You might even find a handful of specimens in car workshops and libraries, reading books to themselves(for a change).
Nevertheless, I was rather flummoxed, nonplussed, puzzled. Should I change the byline to something that more accurately describes me? Furnish some details about my academic qualifications and love for music, literature and theological learning?
The obvious thing to do would be to ask the man why he’d suggested the change. The worst thing about absent-minded humans like me is that I can never remember to pop the question until the person is removed from my presence and I am in the midst of something horribly urgent, like seasoning chicken drumsticks to be steamed.
Hence, till this fine sizzlingly hot day, I am still clueless as to why a change in my byline is desired.
I did however go on a mental journey of sorts and came to the conclusion that I definitely want to stick to “Stay at home mom” . I find it important for several reasons. Firstly, I’m too busy and distracted to be able to come up with a nicely packaged and coherent description of myself. ( I blame this on the gas due to cooking.)
Secondly, I think it fantastic that I can write what I write - book reviews of ’serious’ books- as a full time mom. I’d like to encourage men and women to rethink commonly held assumptions that full time moms/ homemakers share the same passion for cakes, bakes, flowers, house decorating and shopping. Women at home form such a powerful force in shaping society- upholding traditions, families, values, religion- and thus, in the shaping of theological understanding in their children (orthopraxy?). Women therefore- specifically, women who see their homemaking as a calling- do have an interest and a desire for theological learning. Theology is as alive in the messy corridors of crayon-printed walls and sauce-painted sofas, as in the spotless corridors of seminaries.
As a homeschooling mother with two daughters, the desire to clarify my position blazes with a particular keenness. I believe that I must relay the message to my children that as women, they can grasp theological learning, regardless of whatever careers they choose. I hope with all my heart, that as young women, they will be able to apply their knowledge and practice of theological understanding to every area of their lives: on the frontline of apologetics, the frontier of cross-cultural communication, the depths of personal struggles and ,of course, in the wonderfully discomfiting adventure of being a stay-at-home-mum.
Filed under: Exploring women's issues on May 25th, 2009 | 2 Comments »